PCB to 'lift' cricket in 'war-torn' Afghanistan under new deal

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 02:55 PM

Islamabad, Mar 23 : In a move to support cricket in Afghanistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has signed an agreement with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), under which it will train staff and players to help lift the sport in the war-torn country.

The PCB said that under the memorandum of understanding with the ACB, it will provide technical and professional help, including game education programmes, coaching courses, skill and performance analysis, basic umpiring and groundsman courses to Afghan staff and players, the Daily Times reported.

According to a PCB spokesman, the board, which has always supported cricket in Afghanistan, will also help plan, organise and implement development programmes for players, at venues like the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Stating that Pakistan''s support has allowed Afghanistan cricket to make rapid strides amongst the ICC''s affiliate member nations, the spokesman further said that the agreement will not only spread the game in Afghanistan but also promote peace and harmony by bringing people closer together.

Welcoming the PCB’s support, ACB chief executive Noor Muhammad said that Pakistan’s support will put the development of Afghanistan cricket on the fast track, as their cricketers, coaches and umpires will be able to make use of the PCB''s facilities and various education programmes.

Afghanistan, which became a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001 and in 2009 made division one and attained one-day status, played limited overs matches against Pakistan''s second team in their lead-up to World Cup 2015 in last month’s qualifying rounds in the United Arab Emirates, the report added.

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